Palm Beach

Movie stars and tycoons made the golden sands of Palm Beach their tropical playground during the Gilded Age. Today, all are welcome here, with family-friendly beaches, an oceanfront golf course and historic beachfront resorts.

Located on a sliver of a barrier island on the Atlantic Ocean, the town of Palm Beach oozes elegance and Old Money, culture and grace. Known as “America’s First Resort Destination,” Palm Beach’s tropical backdrop of towering palm trees and pristine sandy beaches frame old-world mansions and majestic resorts.

Though it’s tiny – with only about four square miles of land – Palm Beach offers visitors a wealth of attractions and activities with a family-friendly vibe. Take a bicycle ride or stroll along the Lake Trail, a five-mile path that hugs the Intracoastal Waterway and gives spectacular views of yachts, mansions and of West Palm Beach across the way. Check out the Town of Palm Beach Marina for an up-close view of massive yachts from a small, shady park. Cross the bridge to West Palm Beach for a Diva Duck Amphibious Tour to see the town of Palm Beach’s stately homes by water.

Enjoy the sun and sand at three beachfront parks: Phipps Ocean Park, with its mature shade trees and a grassy picnic area, Tiki huts overlooking the ocean and a boardwalk to the beach, R.G. Kreusler Park, a small park with a boardwalk to the beach -- perfect for a swim or to look for seashells or sea glass, or the Town of Palm Beach Municipal Beach, close to the posh Worth Avenue shopping district, and walking distance from eateries and shops.

Stroll through Worth Avenue to get a taste of the life of the rich and famous with world-class shopping and sophisticated designers like Chanel and Jimmy Choo. Stop in the Lilly Pulitzer boutique and immerse yourself in the bright, whimsical prints that make up the signature Palm Beach look. Head to Royal Poinciana Plaza for upscale shops in a lush setting.

Stay in The Breakers, an elegant, Italian Renaissance-style oceanfront resort that traces its roots to the 1800s and offers an oasis for families and couples looking for refined fare and fun, with multiple pools, a kids’ club, a spa and bicycle rentals. The Colony Hotel, another historic gem, is long the glam favorite of the chic, fashionable crowd, while The Brazilian Court Hotel brings an elegant Spanish Colonial boutique feel. Eau Palm Beach and the Four Seasons offer timeless modern luxury.

Tee off at the Palm Beach Par 3 Golf Course, nestled between the ocean and the scenic Intracoastal Waterway, with 18 holes in a stunning tropical setting and a Key West-style clubhouse, or at the Ocean Course at The Breakers.

Pamper yourself at The Spa at The Breakers, the quintessential Palm Beach experience with luxe indoor-outdoor treatment suites and Spa Petite treatments for guests ages 6 to 17, or the Eau Spa, an indulgent retreat where you can sip champagne in swinging chairs over reflecting pools in a playful relaxation garden.

Tempt your tastebuds at Café Boulud in The Brazilian Court, with a menu created by Michelin-starred Chef Daniel Boulud, or try the inventive American cuisine at Buccan by celebrity Chef Clay Conley.

Satisfy your appetite for culture at the Society of the Four Arts, with its art gallery, concert hall, botanical garden and public libraries. Take in contemporary art from national, international and emerging artists along Worth Avenue.

To learn more about the history of the town, a winter destination for the wealthy since the late 1800s, visit the Flagler Museum, railroad tycoon Henry Flagler’s grand winter retreat, with its historic exhibits, period art and furnishings, or the Royal Poinciana Chapel, built in 1897. See the Sea Gull Cottage, dating to 1886, now used for community events.

Plan your trip at The Palm Beaches.com.